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Yandex develops and open-sources an LLM training tool that saves up to 20% of GPU resources

Yandex

Yandex introduces YaFSDP, a method for faster and more efficient large language model (LLM) training. Potentially saving users hundreds of thousands of dollars per month. Available free. Yandex, a global tech company, recently introduced YaFSDP, an open-source method for training large language models (LLMs). YaFSDP is currently the most effective publicly available tool for enhancing GPU communication and reducing memory usage in LLM training, offering a speedup of up to 26% compared to FSDP, depending on the architecture and number of parameters. Reducing the training time for LLMs through the use of YaFSDP can result in savings of up to 20% in GPU resources. “Currently, we're actively experimenting with various model architectures and parameter sizes to expand YaFSDP’s versatility,” noted Mikhail Khruschev, a senior developer at Yandex and part of the team behind YaFSDP. “We are thrilled to share our developments in LLM training with the global ML community, contributing to increased accessibility and efficiency for researchers and developers worldwide.” The case for YaFSDP LLM training is a time-consuming and resource-intensive process. Machine learning engineers and companies that develop their own LLMs invest significant time and GPU resources — which equals money — in training these models. The larger the model, the greater the time and expenses associated with its training. Yandex’s YaFSDP works by eliminating GPU communication inefficiencies, ensuring that training requires only necessary processor memory and making GPU interactions uninterrupted. YaFSDP optimizes learning speed and performance, enabling AI developers worldwide to use less computing power and GPU resources when training their models. For instance, in a pre-training scenario involving a model with 70 billion parameters, using YaFSDP can save the resources of approximately 150 GPUs, which translates to roughly $0.5 to $1.5 million (depending on the virtual GPU provider or platform) in potential monthly savings. YaFSDP’s training efficiency YaFSDP, an enhanced version of FSDP, outperforms the FSDP method in the most communication-heavy stages of LLM training like pre-training, alignment, and fine-tuning. The final speedup shown by YaFSDP on Llama 2 and Llama 3 demonstrates significant improvements in training speed, reaching 21% and 26% on Llama 2 70B and Llama 3 70B respectively. “YaFSDP has shown impressive results on models ranging from 13 to 70 billion parameters, with particularly strong performance in the 30 to 70 billion range,” said Mikhail Khruschev. “Currently, YaFSDP is best suited for widely-used open-source models based on the LLaMA architecture.” YaFSDP isn’t Yandex’s first open-source tool. The company has previously shared several other tools that have become popular with the ML community, including: CatBoost, a high-performance library for gradient boosting on decision trees. YTsaurus, a big data platform for distributed storage and processing. AQLM, one of the most advanced quantization algorithms for extreme compression of large language models, developed jointly by Yandex Research, HSE University, IST Austria, and NeuralMagic. Petals, a library designed to simplify the process of training and fine-tuning LLMs, developed in a collaboration involving Yandex Research, HSE University, University of Washington, Hugging Face, ENS Paris-Saclay, and Yandex School of Data Analysis. Accessing YaFSDP YaFSDP is freely available on Github. – – – – – For Reference During large language model (LLM) training, developers have to efficiently manage three primary resources: computing power, processor memory, and processor communications. YaFSDP conserves the first two, which helps to accelerate the LLM training process. LLM training relies on numerous GPUs organized into clusters — arrays of interconnected graphics processors that can perform the vast number of calculations necessary to train models with billions of parameters. Distributing computations among processors within a cluster requires constant communication, which often becomes a "bottleneck", slowing the training process and resulting in inefficient use of computing power. To overcome this bottleneck, Yandex developers created YaFSDP, a method that improves GPU communication and optimizes learning speed and performance. When combined with Yandex’s other performance-enhancing solutions, the method accelerated the training process by up to 45% for some of its models. YaFSDP works by eliminating GPU communication inefficiencies, which leads to optimized network usage and reduced memory load. It ensures that training requires only necessary processor memory and makes GPU interactions uninterrupted, facilitating further optimizations like minimizing processor communication time. This leads to a significant enhancement in both performance and memory efficiency. The YaFSDP method can be used effectively in transformer-based text generative models with multiple layers (multilayer perceptrons), mostly represented by LLaMA-like models. In a pre-training scenario involving a model with 70 billion parameters, using YaFSDP can save the resources of approximately 150 GPUs. When compared to FSDP, the final speedup shown by YaFSDP on Llama 2 and Llama 3 demonstrates significant improvements in training efficiency. About Yandex Yandex is a global technology company that builds intelligent products and services powered by machine learning. The company’s goal is to help consumers and businesses better navigate the online and offline world. Since 1997, Yandex has been delivering world-class, locally relevant search and information services and has also developed market-leading on-demand transportation services, navigation products, and other mobile applications for millions of consumers across the globe. Contact Details NettResults Media Team media@nettresults.com

June 12, 2024 08:55 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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NOVUS INK Advisors and Solidus Capital Group Team-up to Serve Growing Transatlantic Commercial Interests of Mid-Market Enterprises

NOVUS INK Advisors

NOVUS INK Advisors and Solidus Capital Group signed a services agreement today to provide integrated senior advisory and execution services to small-and mid-market enterprises amid thriving commercial interests between the United States and Europe. The two firms aim to accelerate client services by combining expertise and resources to support growth into new markets, encompassing management counsel, valuation, performance tracking, board advisory, marketing, communication, public and government affairs. The collaboration will enable NOVUS INK Advisors and Solidus Capital Group to meet the unique needs of global small-and mid-market enterprise clients operating across business-to-consumer, business-to-business, and business-to-government segments. The transatlantic economy is proving remarkably robust in the face of global economic and geopolitical disruptions. No two other regions in the world are as deeply integrated as the United States and Europe, according to the 2024 Transatlantic Economy Report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, AmCham EU, Johns Hopkins SAIS and the Transatlantic Leadership Network. The report states: "the $8.7 trillion transatlantic economy employs more than 16 million workers in mutually onshored jobs on both sides of the Atlantic. It is the largest and wealthiest market in the world, accounting for half of total global personal consumption and close to one-third of world GDP in purchasing power. Ties are solid in foreign direct investment, portfolio investment, banking claims, trade and affiliate sales in goods and services, digital links, energy, mutual R&D investment, patent cooperation, technology flows, and sales of knowledge-intensive services." The services agreement will be overseen by a committee chaired by Pia De Lima and Daniel Diaz, NOVUS INK Advisors' Managing Partners, and Andreas Dal Santo, Solidus Capital Group's Managing Director. NOVUS INK Advisors is based in Miami. Solidus Capital Group, affiliated with Atlantic Business Labs, is based in New York. NOVUS INK Advisors is a communication, public and government affairs lobbying firm. NOVUS INK Advisors' practice areas include Corporate, Band and Product Reputation, Business Strategy, Crisis and Reputation Risk, Financial Services, Investor Relations, Mergers & Acquisitions, Brand and Product Marketing Communications Strategy, and Public and Government Affairs. NOVUS INK Advisors is a registered lobbying firm. To learn more, visit: www.NovusInk.com. Solidus Capital Group specializes in management consulting, business valuation, and board advisory services for firms expanding into North America, Latin America, and Europe. It is spearheading an ecosystem of companies, consultants, and subject matter experts with experience from different industries and regions to support corporate and institutional clients' global strategies and growth into new markets. To learn more, visit www.solidus-capital.com. CONTACTS: NOVUS INK Advisors: client.services@NovusInk.com Solidus Capital Group: client.services@Solidus-Capital.com Contact Details NOVUS INK Advisors Client Services client.services@NovusInk.com Company Website https://www.novusink.com/about

June 11, 2024 09:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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AmeriLife and Succession Capital Alliance Partner to Expand Distribution Platform for Advanced Life Insurance Solutions

AmeriLife

AmeriLife Group, LLC (“AmeriLife”), a national leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities, and retirement planning solutions, announced today that it has partnered with Succession Capital Alliance (“SCA”), the innovator behind premium financing for life insurance and a leading provider of advanced life insurance solutions for financial professionals and their high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients. Per the agreement, terms of the deal were not disclosed. “Succession Capital Alliance stands out in our industry for its unique approach to serving the high-net-worth life insurance market,” said Scott R. Perry, chairman and CEO of AmeriLife. “I’m excited to welcome Julian Movsesian and his team to AmeriLife as our newest partners. Succession represents a powerful addition to our growing distribution, and I look forward to working together.” Founded in 2004, SCA is known industrywide for its proprietary, nationally recognized Capital Maximization Strategy℠, an innovative strategy that finances policy premiums through custom loans tailored to each client’s unique circumstances to maximize the value of their life insurance assets. This approach – coupled with deep relationships with top carriers and financial institutions – has set SCA apart in the high-net-worth space and has helped financial professionals place more than $60 billion of life insurance and $6 billion of financed life premium since inception. Now, alongside AmeriLife, SCA will gain access to best-in-class shared services and one of the largest wealth distribution networks in the industry to expand its market opportunities and accelerate its already impressive growth. “Over the past 20 years, Succession Capital Alliance has grown into the premier partner for elite advisors across the nation in the advanced life insurance space,” said president and CEO Julian Movsesian. “Our partnership with AmeriLife will enable us to get to the next level, as it offers SCA the ability to expand our distribution channels and leverage AmeriLife’s technology, shared services, and deep analytical capabilities. I couldn’t be more excited for our team and the financial professionals we serve.” As AmeriLife Wealth Group continues to break through traditional distribution models, the addition of Succession Capital Alliance will help drive and fortify its wealth protection business, arming AmeriLife’s growing wealth affiliate network with advanced life, tax, estate, and succession planning solutions in service to the company’s holistic approach to the markets it serves. “Today’s announcement is another critical milestone achieved for AmeriLife Wealth Group and our ability to grow and sustain the next generation of wealth firms and their financial professionals,” said Mike Vietri, Chief Distribution Officer for AmeriLife Wealth Group. “SCA provides a distinctive offering that will not only elevate our life insurance business, but also expand protection solutions for more agents and their clients.” ### About Succession Capital Alliance Succession Capital Alliance, headquartered in Newport Beach, California, is the gold standard in advanced life insurance planning for advisors and their high-net-worth clients. With a singular focus on maximizing the performance of life insurance assets through Premium Financing, SCA leverages the Capital Maximization Strategy to provide leverage within a client's portfolio. For additional information, please visit SuccessionCapital.com. About AmeriLife AmeriLife’s strength is its mission: to provide insurance and retirement solutions to help people live longer, healthier lives. In doing so, AmeriLife has become recognized as the leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities, and retirement planning solutions to enhance the lives of pre-retirees and retirees across the United States. For more than 50 years, AmeriLife has partnered with top insurance carriers to provide value and quality to customers served through a distribution network of over 300,000 insurance agents and financial professionals and more than 100 marketing organizations and insurance agency locations nationwide. For more information, visit AmeriLife.com, and follow AmeriLife on Facebook and LinkedIn. Contact Details AmeriLife Jeff Maldonado +1 321-297-1112 media@amerilife.com Succession Capital Alliance Adrina Movsesian amovsesian@successioncapital.com Partnership Inquiries Patrick Nichols corporatedevelopment@amerilife.com Company Website https://amerilife.com/

June 10, 2024 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Comcast Announces Live American Sign Language Interpreting Services at Eight Bay Area Xfinity Store Locations

Comcast California

As part of its ongoing commitment to digital inclusion and accessibility, Comcast today announced the availability of live American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting services at eight Xfinity Store Locations in the Greater Bay Area. Customers who need ASL support can stop into any of the select Bay Area Xfinity Stores, where representatives will utilize ASL Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) to access a live interpreter provided by partner, Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD). The Retail Associate simply taps the app on the store iPad and is connected in moments via video to a live interpreter who can translate from ASL to English and vice versa as the customer and Associate converse. “We’re proud to deliver an inclusive service solution that will help more customers better interact and engage with Retail Associates representing our Xfinity Products and Services, to provide them with a much better in-store experience,” said Thomas Wlodkowski, Comcast Vice President for Accessibility. “I’m also grateful to our partners in California — who are helping to close the digital divide for more members of our disabled community by working with us on a variety of digital equity initiatives.” Comcast launched the ASL VRI service as a pilot in select stores last year; it is the first telecommunications retailer in the country to offer live, on-demand, remote ASL interpreting services in stores to better serve customers. The company is expanding the service to additional stores across the country this year. The eight Xfinity Greater Bay Area stores that offer ASL VRI service include: San Jose: 1068 E. Brokaw Rd. # 50, San Jose, CA 95131 Sunnyvale: 301 W. McKinley Ave. Suite 140, Sunnyvale, CA 94086 San Jose: 1566 Monterey Hwy #20, San Jose, CA 95110 San Jose: 1600 Saratoga Ave., San Jose, CA 95129 Palo Alto: 2825 El Camino Real #100, Palo Alto, CA 94306 Fremont: 43325 Christy St., Fremont, CA 94538 Oakland: 3070 E. 9 th St., Oakland, CA 94601 Dublin: 4104 Grafton St., Dublin, CA 94568 “As part of California School for the Deaf’s mission, we are deeply committed to providing a language rich environment that maximizes communication access in order for our students to lead fulfilling lives,” said Amy Novotny, Superintendent, California School for the Deaf. “Access to technology and connectivity builds confidence and independence, and that’s why we are excited to partner with Comcast on opportunities to close the digital divide for members of our Deaf and hard of hearing community.” The American Community Survey (ACS) estimates that 3.6% of the U.S. population is “deaf or have serious difficulty hearing.” Additionally, according to Pew Research Center, 23% of people with disabilities say they never go online, with 57% saying they do not have a home broadband connection. That’s why, through its Project UP initiative, Comcast is working to address and eliminate the unique barriers to connectivity through a series of efforts, including Internet Essentials, Lift Zones, and skill development and training. In addition to announcing this inclusive retail experience for customers, Comcast donated $60,000 in digital equity grants to community partners, San Francisco LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, California School for the Deaf, and the World Institute on Disability. These grants aim to broaden the scope of digital inclusion and accessibility to students, families, seniors, and community members. “Assistive technologies are opening doors to greater independence for folks with a range of disabilities,” said Sharon Giovinazzo Chief Executive Officer of the San Francisco LightHouse of the Blind and Visually Impaired. “These innovations truly can level the playing field. Comcast has been a valued partner in delivering technologies and supporting our efforts to promote independence, community, and equity for blind and low vision people.” “Diversity, equity and inclusion are the guiding stars of what we do here at the World Institute on Disability, and it is gratifying to see partners, such as Comcast, who also believe that equity and accessibility go hand-in-hand,” said Marcie Roth, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, World Institute on Disability. “Technology continues to evolve rapidly, and we must continue to work together to invest in solutions, which will help support people with disabilities having equal and greater access to products and services in today’s world as well as laying the foundation for greater accessibility for future generations.” About Comcast’s Accessibility Program: For more than a decade, Comcast has invested in making its products, technology, and experiences accessible to the widest possible audience while opening new doors to independence for people with disabilities. These innovations include the Large Button Voice Remote, voted USA Today’s Best Accessible Design remote in 2023, and the Xfinity Adaptive Web Remote. To learn more about Comcast’s groundbreaking accessibility work, visit corporate.comcast.com/accessibility. About Comcast Corporation: Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms, we provide, to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Comcast Calfornia Jon Koriel +1 925-315-2690 jon_koriel@comcast.com Company Website https://california.comcast.com/

June 06, 2024 10:15 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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Comcast Directors Refuse to Disclose Political Donations, So Shareholder Does It for Them

NLPC

Ahead of its annual meeting on Monday, June 10, the directors for Comcast Corporation have had their past political campaign donations publicized on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website, after the company refused to allow a vote on a shareholder proposal that requested transparency of that information. As the parent of major media organizations that include NBC, CNBC, MSNBC, Telemundo and Sky, Comcast has an outsized influence on global news reporting and opinion-forming for its massive audiences, predominantly in the Americas and in Europe. Late last year National Legal and Policy Center (NLPC), an investor in Comcast, had introduced a shareholder proposal to request the Board to implement a policy in which director candidates each year would be required to disclose their charitable donations and campaign contributions above certain amounts, going back five and 10 years, respectively. Citing several examples of Comcast’s past advocacy in support of controversial political news developments and issues from a left-leaning perspective, NLPC asked for greater transparency about the board’s worldviews via the disclosure of members’ past philanthropic and political donations. “Shareholders are uninformed about members’ ideological and political views,” the proposal stated. “Greater transparency is needed to allow shareholders to know whether our Board suffers partisan capture and therefore the group-think and ideological blinders that have cost some companies dearly in recent years.” However, not wanting shareholders to have the ability to vote on NLPC’s proposal – much less disclose its directors’ charity, candidate and political party support – Comcast asked the SEC for permission to exclude the resolution from its proxy statement, and therefore from its annual meeting. The SEC allowed the company to omit the proposal. Subsequently, NLPC filed a proxy memo with the SEC last month in which it opposed the election of all 10 director nominees, over their refusal to allow shareholders to vote on the measure. In addition to NLPC’s rationale for opposing the nominees, the proxy memo also includes some of the very information Comcast’s directors tried to conceal: their campaign contributions for federal races going back at least 10 years, extracted from Federal Election Commission records. “Comcast argued that it was improper for director nominees’ personal charity and campaign donations to be disclosed and should be off-limits,” said Paul Chesser, director of the Corporate Integrity Project for NLPC. “It’s a bogus argument, at least regarding state and federal races, as those contributions are required to be reported to state elections boards and the FEC, and to be made available to the public.” NLPC sponsored the same proposal for the annual meetings of Alphabet, Amazon and Home Depot as well. None of those companies opposed allowing a vote on director transparency at their meetings. “You might think Big Tech companies might be more reluctant to make such disclosures, but they were at least willing to allow their investors to weigh in on the issue,” Chesser added. “Meanwhile Comcast controls some of the most extensive and influential news gathering organizations in the world. Their Board owes it to their audiences, as well as their shareholders, to inform them where they stand ideologically.” Founded in 1991, the National Legal and Policy Center promotes ethics in public life through research, investigation, education and legal action. Contact Details National Legal and Policy Center Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 drene@nlpc.org Company Website http://www.nlpc.org

June 05, 2024 11:10 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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White Bridge Capital Expands to Texas, Opening Cross-Border Investment Opportunities in Real Estate Development

White Bridge Capital, LLC

Firm Looks to Serve Cross-Border Real Estate Needs of Family Offices, High-Net-Worth Individuals and Entities Seeking to Invest in Multi-Family, Build-to-Suit, Industrial, and Commercial Development Projects White Bridge Capital, a cross-border real estate investment firm, is extending its reach to Texas to cater to global family offices, high-net-worth individuals, and overseas entities seeking to benefit from the state’s robust economic expansion and the resulting impact on its flourishing real estate market. The portfolio encompasses multi-family residences, build-to-suit properties, industrial facilities, and commercial developments across the state. In Texas, White Bridge Capital will be spearheaded by newly appointed Partner Nat Parsons, a third-generation developer by training and leading real estate and construction veteran with nearly two decades of experience, including the banking sector. Co-founded by Tommy Campbell and Regina Garcia Handal, with headquarters in Miami, Florida and operations in Mexico City, White Bridge Capital sources real estate deals, structures investments, secures financing for underlying assets, and manages client investments throughout the real estate development cycle. “The expansion to Texas marks a significant step in the firm’s growth and its intent to have a strategic physical presence to look after our clients’ overall interests,” said Tommy Campbell, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, White Bridge Capital. “Investors are focused on long-term appreciation and greater control, and White Bridge Capital, with our ‘boots on the ground’ approach, stands ready to source real estate investments in Texas that offer clients active management.” Cross-border family office real-estate investments across the Americas are on the rise, propelled by macroeconomic and geopolitical drivers. White Bridge Capital is bridging this investment opportunity with its unique customized investment platform underpinned by high-touch, local intelligence, and a robust network of experts across the Americas. “Nat is an outstanding business leader. His extensive experience and strategic vision in managing complex real estate deals, leading construction projects and teams, will be invaluable to our firm and clients,” said Regina Garcia Handal, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, White Bridge Capital. “In partnership with Nat, we look forward to our Texas office thriving into the future.” A graduate of Texas A&M University, Nat holds a master’s in business administration and a bachelor’s in construction science, focusing on business, project planning, and construction management of high-quality facilities. A proud and devoted father, Parsons is a U.S. rugby player, the son of architects and grandson of Nathaniel E. Parsons, president of N. E. Parsons Sheet Metal and Roofing Company 1924. “White Bridge Capital’s leadership, client base, and market reach are unparalleled,” said Parsons. Together with Tommy, Regina, and Texas’ pro-business and investor-friendly policies, I look forward to serving new and existing clients. The opportunities to grow in Texas are endless.” Texas is an appealing destination for investors, particularly those from Latin America, given its overall business-friendly environment, infrastructure development, technological advancements, and strong economic growth – accelerated by trade with Mexico – attracting diverse industries to the state, resulting in population growth and an attractive real estate market. # # # About White Bridge Capital: Headquartered in Miami, Florida, with operations in Mexico City, White Bridge Capital sources compelling real estate deals, structures investments, secures financing for underlying assets, and manages client investments throughout the real estate development life cycle. To learn more, visit White Bridge Capital. Contact Details Pia De Lima +1 305-794-1231 pia.delima@novusink.com Dan Diaz +1 347-673-3555 daniel.diaz@NovusInk.com Company Website https://www.whitebridge.capital/

June 04, 2024 09:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Shareholder Proposal Seeks Reevaluation of Exec. Incentives for EVs at GM

NLPC

On June 4, National Legal and Policy Center will present a shareholder proposal at the General Motors Company advocating for GM’s board of directors to reevaluate the electric vehicle expansion targets included in its executive compensation packages. The proposal, identified as Item No. 5 on the 2024 proxy ballot, argues that GM’s focus on electric vehicles is misaligned with both the market demand for EVs and the economic realities the company faces. Last month NLPC filed a proxy memo with the Securities and Exchange Commission that explains its rationale for the proposal. GM, like many in energy-intensive sectors, has increasingly aligned its corporate strategies with a poorly substantiated, government-subsidized, and corporate media-amplified “scientific consensus” that carbon emissions will result in catastrophic effects to the planet, and to humans. These scenarios are increasingly unlikely, yet the corporate media continues to portray them as the default. Supposedly, this climate crisis can only be averted if governments and consumers adopt environmentally friendly technology, such as electric vehicles, en masse. However, electric vehicles aren’t good for the environment. Even with government subsidies, they’re expensive and unprofitable. Further, consumers don’t want to make the switch. Luke Perlot, Associate Director of NLPC's Corporate Integrity Project, stated, “Our proposal encourages a reassessment of GM’s current executive compensation incentives, which overly prioritize electric vehicle production without adequate consideration of the associated economic, environmental, and ethical risks. Instead, the company should remove these incentives and give its executive team the opportunity to pursue growth strategies without political bias.” Key Details of the Proposal: Misalignment with Market Realities: Despite substantial investments and executive incentives, the anticipated demand for EVs has not materialized at the projected scale. An open letter to President Biden signed by over 5,000 auto dealerships warned of lack of demand for EVs. Economic Viability and Subsidy Dependence: GM's profitability in the EV sector is heavily reliant on government subsidies, which are subject to political changes and could be repealed as early as 2025. Without these subsidies, the division’s path to achieving positive pre-tax earnings, currently projected for no sooner than 2025, appears increasingly precarious. Environmental and Ethical Challenges: The extraction and processing of rare-earth elements, crucial for these batteries, are predominantly concentrated in regions with poor environmental and labor standards. This not only leads to severe ecological damage, but also involves significant human rights abuses, including forced labor. Further, these elements are primarily processed in China, a geopolitical adversary of the United States. “Consumers still want internal combustion engine vehicles,” Perlot added, “and GM’s competitors are making substantial investments to meet their demand. The company cannot afford to be left behind because of misguided incentives.” Founded in 1991, the National Legal and Policy Center promotes ethics in public life through research, investigation, education and legal action. Contact Details National Legal and Policy Center Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 drene@nlpc.org Company Website http://www.nlpc.org

June 03, 2024 11:45 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Bevel Rebrands Under Avenue Z, Driving New Era of Media Convergence

Avenue Z

Avenue Z a strategic communications and marketing consultancy today announces the full unification and rebranding of Bevel, a strategic communications firm, to form a new driving force behind media convergence. This unique combination is a strategic venture, breaking the traditional boundaries of PR, marketing, media, and social commerce to drive influence across all digital channels. “We see the market as very open to a company like ours that brings these talents and technologies together under one roof, not just for clients’ benefit, but to build something that is differentiated in this space,” says Jeffrey Herzog, Chairman and CEO of Avenue Z. “The leadership team at Bevel, now fully unified under Avenue Z, is a critical part of helping our clients achieve greater reach, revenue, and returns.” Avenue Z aims to deliver consistent messaging that drives tangible action across multiple touchpoints. The “Convergence Media” approach addresses this need by seamlessly blending various disciplines to create narratives that drive commerce, forge meaningful connections, and spark impactful conversions. “By joining forces through a tech-forward approach to reputation management, our clients will be better connected to their audiences through an integrated communications strategy,” said Nneka Etoniru, EVP, Head of New York at Avenue Z, and one of Crain’s Most Notable Leaders in Advertising, Marketing and PR. “Avenue Z’s approach to convergence unifies the best of brand, media, marketing, and PR to supercharge client campaigns and ultimately yield higher conversions.” Merging traditional PR tactics with paid media, digital marketing, and performance media not only increases the frequency and consistency of brand interactions but also strengthens the narrative across every platform from the Wall Street Journal to TikTok. With teams in New York, Boston, Orlando, and Miami, Avenue Z is set to break boundaries and set the stage for groundbreaking achievements in the PR industry, and beyond. “PR and strategic communications are tools for driving awareness to support their launch initiatives, growth metrics, and raising funds. To achieve broader reach, it’s critical that those PR efforts tie in with digital marketing assets that convert, and performance media that drives connections with the right audiences. Our clients are always innovating, they expect their PR agency to do the same. That’s exactly what we’ve done.” said Libbie Wilcox, Director of Avenue Z New York and lead of their Alternative Assets practice. Avenue Z’s new Convergence PR solution is now available to existing clients. “As part of the leadership team, I know we are so excited for all that is to come. As a PR professional, I’m reassured that the industry is also in alignment. They see that PR is ready for a change. It’s ready for more. And, we’re going to be among the first to pave that path,” said Bristol Jones, Director and Head of Miami at Avenue Z. Avenue Z is a strategic marketing and communications company breaking traditional boundaries between marketing, advertising, and PR. From the Wall Street Journal to TikTok, PR to social and search, we create narratives that drive commerce, connections, and conversion, across all channels. With experts, tech, and teams based in New York, Boston, Orlando, Miami, and global reach - we drive influence. Visit www.avenuez.com Contact Details Avenue Z +1 407-637-2833 press@avenuez.com Company Website https://avenuez.com/

June 03, 2024 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Department of the Army Debuts First Campaign Highlighting Army Civilian Careers

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/FMkGY43U8FQ For the first time, the Department of the Army debuted a campaign focused on Army Civilian Careers. “Find Your Next Level” demonstrates how private citizens can bring their existing skills and abilities to an Army Civilian Career and have an impact that can only be found in the Department of the Army. Individuals looking for a new challenge in their career can choose from more than 500 career paths. Army Civilians work across industries with roles in finance, cybersecurity, engineering, and beyond. With more than 265,000 employees, the Army Civilian workforce is one of the largest groups of Civilian employees within the Department of Defense. The Civilian role in the Army dates back to the founding of our country in 1776, and Army Civilians continue to play a critical role in the Army’s success today. Because there is low public awareness that the Department of the Army employs Civilians, the campaign aims to bridge this gap by demonstrating how professionals can bring their existing skills and abilities to an Army Civilian Career. On May 22nd, a media tour was conducted with Army Civilian, Dr. John E. Deaton. He shared his unique perspective on the campaign as a former Army Ranger who ultimately returned to the Army as a Civilian later in his career – this time in veterinary sciences. His experience as an Army Ranger brought him the critical skills of discipline and leadership that would serve as the foundation for a fulfilling career in veterinary medicine after his service in uniform. Today he serves as the Deputy Director of Veterinary Sciences at Joint Base San Antonio where he leverages insights from his veterinary expertise to train the next generation of Soldiers. Topics that Dr. Deaton discussed included: · Why the Army is launching a campaign focused on Civilians. · His journey to the Army and why he chose to return as a Civilian. · What opportunities his Civilian career in the Army has provided. · Types of Army Civilian Career paths are available. For more information, visit ArmyCivilianCareers.com. Army Civilian Careers will have a presence at upcoming events throughout the U.S. where potential candidates can interview for open positions, and potentially receive a tentative job offer on the spot: · June 26-28: The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) in Las Vegas, NV · September 18-20: Richard Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing (CMDIT) in San Diego, CA · October 4: American Indian Society of Engineers & Scientists (AISES) National Conference in San Antonio, TX · October 12: Society of Asian Scientists & Engineers (SASE) in Boston, MA · November 1-2: Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) in Anaheim, CA · November 9: Great Minds in STEM (GMiS) in Fort Worth, TX Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

May 30, 2024 11:04 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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